Markets in Dungannon

The Space at Market Square, Thursday to Saturday

The variety market sets up at The Space, a group of converted shipping containers off Market Square, beside Feeney's Lane. Visit Mid Ulster lists it from Thursday to Saturday, 9am to 4pm.

Stalls sell home baking, local art, flowers, jewellery, handbags, skin care, crafts, tools and workwear. Dungannon Enterprise Centre set up The Space on a temporary planning permission, so phone 07845 236 880 before a long trip.

Saturday mornings at Beechvalley and Granville Road

The Tyrone Farmers Market meets on the first and third Saturday of the month, about 8.30am to 12.30pm, in the Tesco car park at Beechvalley. Local businesses sell food, baking, handmade gifts and homewares.

On the third Saturday, Dungannon Farmers' Mart at 90 Granville Road has been listed for a car boot sale, poultry fair and home produce sale in the morning. Phone the mart on 028 8772 2727 to check the date.

Christmas fairs in Benburb, Caledon and at The Argory

• Benburb Priory, Main Street: Christmas fayre in the cloister, a Saturday in late November.
• Caledon Community Centre: Christmas market of about 40 stalls in early December.
• The Argory, Moy: outdoor Christmas Fair over the first weekend of December, 11am–5pm.
• The Argory has about 35 traders; non-members pay normal National Trust admission.
• Dungannon's lights switch-on is a Saturday in late November, on Market Square.

Who to phone for a pitch in Dungannon

Each market has its own organiser. Phone 07845 236 880 for The Space, 07713 171482 for the Tyrone Farmers Market (local food and handmade goods only), or 028 8772 2727 for the mart car boot.

Selling alone on a Dungannon street needs a Mid Ulster District Council licence: £215 a year for a fixed or mobile pitch, or £58 for a temporary one. You need an AccessNI basic check and gas and electrical certificates. Phone 03000 132 132.

Benburb Priory opens Christmas trader applications in late summer and posts them on its social media; email [email protected] or phone 028 3754 8241.

The 261 bus, the M1 and free parking on Scotch Street

The Goldline 261 runs from Belfast Grand Central to Dungannon Bus Station in about an hour, and goes on to Enniskillen. By car, Dungannon is at the west end of the M1.

Scotch Street South (161 spaces), Perry Street East and Ann Street West are free council car parks. Castle Hill, Scotch Street North, Perry Street West and Ann Street East are pay and display. The Argory and Benburb Priory have their own parking.

Linen Thursdays below the Hill of The O'Neill

Dungannon was the seat of the O'Neills, whose castle stood on what is now the Hill of The O'Neill. After 1607 a plantation town grew up below it.

In the early 1800s Thursday was linen day. Weavers sold brown linen at standings on Market Square to buyers from Belfast. The farmers' mart left the town's Market Yard for Granville Road in 1987.